3/4 is the most common standard time signature after 4/4. It is part of the common vocabulary of jazz drumming and jazz music. On most professional jazz drumming gigs at least one tune a set tends to be in 3/4. And of course, there are the famous jazz standards and originals in 3/4 such as "All Blues", "Someday My Prince Will Come", and Chick Corea's "Windows" that you should be familiar with.
But, 3/4 can also feel a lot more restricted than playing jazz drums in 4/4. Many people don't know what or how to play in 3/4 and surprisingly 3/4 jazz drumming is not covered in any real depth in popular jazz drumming books.
But there are other reasons to work on 3/4.
Working on 3/4 is an important and great way to improve your overall jazz drumming vocabulary.
The greater independence and rhythmic competence you gain from working in 3/4 will also transfer to your 4/4 playing and beyond.
In frustration at the lack of material dealing with jazz drumming in 3/4 despite how common it is to play in 3/4, I started to put together some exercises for myself to work on to gain more independence and creativity.
I also wanted to play more phrases that cross the bar line.
This quickly escalated and developed into a book of exercises to solve exactly these two problems.
The book is short - under 30 pages - but provides the aspiring jazz drumming with tonnes of ideas, exercises and things to work on.
Through working on the material myself, I have found that the material has quickly expanded my phrasing abilities when playing in 3/4.
I guarantee it will do the same for you.
Right now and until 3rd April 2023.
Jazz Drumming in 3/4 Volume 1 is available as a free download.
Enter you email address below and I will send you a free copy of Jazz Drumming in 3/4 Volume One.
Later in the year will see the release of Jazz Drumming in 3/4 Volume 2, which will delve deeper into playing in 3/4 and focus on triplet phrases and ideas.
Let me know how you get on with the material. I'd love to hear from you.
Have Fun. Make Music